Spandau Ballet Star's Painful Health Battle
Tony Hadley, the iconic voice behind 80s supergroup Spandau Ballet, has made a shocking admission about his declining mobility, confessing he can "hardly walk" due to a severe knee injury. The singer is now having to meticulously plan his live performances around a "desperately needed" major operation scheduled for 2026.
The Incident That Started It All
The frontman's troubles began back in 2023 when he suffered what he described as a "serious fall" while in Italy for a performance. The accident occurred just before he was due to play for 15,000 people, when water was allegedly released onto a tiled floor, causing him to slip dramatically. Hadley vividly recalled how the excruciating incident sent his leg "about 10 past 12", resulting in him "ripping the tendons off" and fracturing his patella, or kneecap.
Medical professionals immediately advised him to "minimise all travel" to avoid potential complications, forcing him to withdraw from a festival appearance at the time. He took to X, formerly Twitter, to reassure fans, calling it a "minor accident" and thanking everyone for their support while being cared for by Italian medical teams.
An Ongoing Struggle and Forthcoming Surgery
Despite initial progress in his recovery, Hadley revealed during a 2024 appearance on Channel 4's Sunday Brunch that things had "gone a bit pear-shaped". He disclosed that he needed a "big clean out" procedure before ultimately requiring more extensive surgery.
The situation has continued to deteriorate. At the recent Magic Of Christmas concert at the London Palladium, Hadley confirmed to The Mail's Richard Eden that he will "get a new knee next year". He explained the severity of his current condition, stating plainly: "I can hardly walk on it, so I get a new knee after the tour."
Despite the constant pain, which he openly admitted "hurts" when questioned on television, Hadley insisted he doesn't want sympathy. His determination to continue performing has seen him reschedule cancelled Italian shows and join the Swing Tour in March 2024, all while managing his discomfort.
The health challenges come amidst ongoing tensions within Spandau Ballet, which Hadley described as "bloody difficult" regarding the band's reunion. He specifically cited his complicated relationship with former bandmate Gary Kemp, though the group did enjoy a successful reunion period from 2009 before Hadley's departure six years later.
